







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| What do you think about him, Cate? | |
| You are right, is there anything you want me to buy on the way? | |
| Yeah, it's a very popular restaurant. | |
| Do you have any area in mind? | |
| Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | |
| He must be sleeping, he usually works at night, too. | |
| I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | |
| What genre do you listen to? | |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | |
| My housemates don't clean anything in the kitchen. | |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | |
| Alright, deal! You have 3 days to think, starting now! | |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | |
| Do you know how to use them? | |
| It's always the same. | |
| Yes, there are some knives, too. | |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | |
| But we have to be quick, I don't have much time. | |
| Hello guys, you must be Cate, I'm Joseph. | |
| Hi, is your cat okay? | |